This blog will cover the collision of two cultures - parents and teen children. They don't understand us, and view us as spoilers or walking ATMs (adults with teen malcontents?) We are left wondering what happened to our cute cuddly kids of a few years back, and when they may return. If ever.

Google Analytics

Saturday, October 31, 2009

I definitely decided I was getting tricked most of the day, as my daughter, stressed out over going to Homecoming, started acting like the wicked witch of the west, to both my hubby and I.

At 2:30 pm, she started nagging me to get off my volunteer for the fish/salmon duties and get thee home to take her to the hair dresser. Then she chewed on her father, because he wasn't there to trade off the car in time (don't ask, men have to clean their cars to feel better about things).

We finally handed her off at about 4:30 pm, brought home hamburgers, and were, somewhat relieved.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

"Dad, he's not here,and they are closing down the gym and shutting off the lights!"

Taking the phone away from my ear, I flashed on two things. Gary would never just leave Jennifer at her volleyball game (I'd just gotten home from work when I got this annoyed, panicked call), so he must be a. dead, b. mugged in the parking lot and almost dead or c. passed out in the bathroom from a heart attack and almost dead.

So I told Jennifer I'd be there in a bit, and called Gary on his cell. If he didn't pick up, I'd be dialing 911 next.

"Hello?"

"Where are you"

"I'm waiting for Jennifer's bus to drop her off at AHS"

What no one bothered to tell Gary was was there was no bus today and the kids had to get home on their own.

Again I was holding the phone away from my ear as he started to swear. Apparently both then blamed the other when they met back at the neighboring school's gym and started to yell....followed by sullen silence. She stalked back to her room when they got home, and Gary harrumphed around the kitchen, making himself a sandwich.

Eventually he apologized, but Jennifer wasn't in the mood. Unf. they both have to have the last word and both aren't nec. the best as saying they are sorry. As I finally told them separately, hey, it was a mix up, not intentional, move on.

But there will be a next time, for both of them, unf. They are both too much alike, too temperamental and did I mention both like to have the last word?

Monday, October 26, 2009

It was raining, hard, and I was trying to figure out if I should really call in sick.

I felt like crap, but I had a deadline this am, and an interview this afternoon. Ick. But we got out of the house late, due mostly to my dawdling, so I decided to go by the store, get a goodie bag, with Jennifer for her secret pal on the v-ball team, and the coffee she wanted.

"So what are we going to tell 'em today?" said Jennifer, sipping her white choco mocha, with raspberry.

We've done dentists, really so many times, I think they are going to start checking her teeth, and so many docs appt. they might think she's going to chemo.

"How about allergist?"

Okaay, we' haven't used that one before . And "heck," I added, "that opens us up to an entire list of specialists."

I said this as we were heading in the front door, and unfortunately Jennifer started to giggle. Which got me going. So we are doubled over and I gasped out "allergist" to the puzzled student trying to write her a note.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

She decided to start dating Anthony again, unf. I not sure that's a good idea. Neither is her dad sure about this. And neither is Jennifer.

It's not anthony, but his mom that seems to be the problem.

She's made it clear she doesn't like Jennifer (I don't think she likes any girl he brings home). I told JEnnifer she may want to consider that as she considers how close to get to him. Helicopter moms can be real bitchy.

Monday, October 19, 2009

I was calling my daughter to see if she wished to be picked up after a sleepover Saturday, and she explained that she couldn't. The family she was with just were walking out of church (an evangelical and conservative one to boot) and now they were going to brunch and then Costco.

Fine, you never go to church with me, I pouted.

She promised to come next Sunday. Promise. I intend to hold her to it.

Friday, October 16, 2009

I guess I'll have to turn the radio off more often, as it seems to encourage my daughter to talk more on the way to school. At any rate, I said yes, and it really doesn't get any better. After knowing Gary for 25 years, yes, he still does stuff that surprises me, pleases me, annoys me or has me scratching my head. I told her this and asked her then, what was she referring to?

"Well, Anthony still wants to go out with me, Eddie has told me that he likes me, but has asked another girl to homecoming and I think Gunther's bf wants us to get together more than either Gunther and I do."

So, in other words, the Anthony that wantsyouwantsyou, until of course you're his girlfriend is back texting you, Eddie, who wants you as long as you're unavailable is now cooling, and Gunther, well, you're still texting him,but not as a potential boyfriend?

"Yes, that sums it up."

I told here there are some guys that like the chase, more than the actual girl, and it seems like she might have two of those in this mix. And besides, Anthony's mom seems WAY too involved in his dating life, I'd stay away.

"No shit! What is it with parents?"

I don't her I didn't know. Now if she brought a potential drug czar home, yes, I'd probably step in front and center, but as far as I can recall, my parents stayed out of my dating life, with the exception of telling me I couldn't bring boys back to my room and close the door (a policy I've now instituted with J, even tho she hates it as much as I did).

As for the guys that like the chase, more than the girl, stay away from those. I just attended by 30 year reunion from high school. Some of them never grow out of that.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Apparently a girl named savannah, who had dated one of J's exes before, is now eyeing another of her boyfriends past.

Savannah had asked about ex Anthony, only to be rebuffed by jennifer. Didn't want to talk about him. So she complained to whoever would listen about J. Of course J found out and confronted her. And now J is mad that she's mad at her and badmouthing her further.

"I don't know, Jennifer, you just might want to let it drop, she's gotten the point"

Yes, in fact, I did. I'm going up to meet some gal pals in Issaquah today, and Jennifer wanted to come with me , no so much to see my friends, but because on the way back, we could go shopping for a Homecoming dress.

I'd already forgotten about the car pool situation with another friend going up, so figuring she didn't want to shop for a Homecoming dress for my daughter, I let her know so she could drive herself up.

Friday, October 9, 2009

J. had called earlier in the day, said no, she hadn't gotten her chores finished, but could she still go over to a friend's house (whose parents we haven't met). The answer was no, and of course, immediately she wasn't so chatty any more.

Was sulking in her room when we both got home, so we gave up, got her dinner at the rest. and left her. She was in a better mood when I got home.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Picked up Jennifer and her friend Jordan at school, and then home, where I swore Jordan to a non-disclosure agreement before she entered the house.

The girls then showered, put on their make and took a looong time getting ready for the football game. Gary arrived home and was ready in about 3 min. flat. At 6:20 pm he starts tapping his foot. He wants to be there for kickoff time. Jennifer's still flattening her hair.

It's now 6:25 pm. Gary's really starting to look impatient. She's brushing her teeth. Slowly. And refusing to take a coat, it will be uncool, even tho it's supposed to drop into the 30s tonight. But since the students are so packed together, and jumping around, maybe she'll be okay.

At 6:30 pm, Gary orders her out of the house. They pile into the truck and off they go. I'm left at home prepping for a talk ,and get the tv all to myself.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Apparently Jennifer's going to be going to homecoming in her wonderful purple dress, once we find it, with just her gal pals after all.

Eddie, her hold out in case a guy from TJ didn't ask her, has decided she's just not the one for him. or maybe he's afraid she'll say no, but for whatever reason, the school grapevine has gotten back to her that he's a "no."

"I guess he decided I just wasn't worth the trouble," she sighed.

That, and maybe that he was #2 on her list. No one likes that designation.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Bill Gates Sr (the dad of the rich guy) came to the PLU campus last week, and while 20-something students grilled him about his book, mostly asking looong drawn out questions about what should they do to live a passionate life (I was more interested in BG as a kid), I could tell that he the in some cases they were missing the point of his book "Showing up for Life".

He said again and again that raising a family and spending time with your kids is probably the most important thing you can do with your time. But since none of his questioners, I was the reporter there, had kids, this went right over their heads.

But in seeing Jennifer dive headlong into being 16, I can vouch for Bill Sr's wisdom. It is the most important thing you will do.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

To this point, she still has 3 trig problems to work out (sorry, this late at night, I'm useless at this). But I can help with current events. I'm still a news junkie. So now their are going into the Great Depression, and she needs a world event that's related to discuss. I find her something on financial reforms.

She gives me a puzzled look.

"OK, it's mainly saying you can't make loans to folks who KNOW are going to default," I said."If that hadn't happened, I doubt we'd be in a depression now."

Alien Nation

About Me (short version)

This blog will chronicle my journey through the tween and early teen years with my middle school daughter. You'll also be reading posts from other parents, who swear their children have been abducted by aliens, and have returned home..different.

A short synopsis of Barbara Clements. I'm a happily married, South King County mom with one daughter, and hope to someday freelance full-time as a writer for National Geographic. But until then, I have a daughter to raise and get through high school, which she'll hopefully leave in four years with a scholarship, my sanity intact and not pregnant.